Elizabeth Bryant on corporate strategy
From Called to Lead with Elizabeth Bryant · · Young Catholic Professionals (YCP)
“Southwest, we found a way not to do that, right? In that moment, and it was because we were at the table to say, 'Here are the options. There are other ways that we can think about this. We don't have to do a layoff.' So we did. We were the only airline that didn't do that.”
On , Elizabeth Bryant, Senior VP & Chief People Officer at Southwest Airlines, spoke about corporate strategy during Called to Lead with Elizabeth Bryant on Young Catholic Professionals (YCP).
About Elizabeth Bryant
Elizabeth Bryant, Senior Vice President and Chief People Officer at Southwest Airlines, discussed her leadership approach and the company's recent challenges in a May 2026 podcast appearance. She stated that during the COVID-19 pandemic, Southwest was the only airline that avoided layoffs by finding alternative solutions. However, she noted that the company conducted a reduction in force in its indirect space the previous year, which she described as the most difficult moment of her career. She said this led to a more disciplined approach to headcount and resource allocation. Bryant also addressed an activist investor's involvement in the company about a year and a half prior, which she said, along with other challenges, forced the company to improve more quickly. She stated that Southwest now has a stronger balance sheet, a better product, and a stronger operation, and has accelerated initiatives originally planned over five years. In remarks about hiring, she said the company looks for a "desire to deliver outstanding hospitality" as a non-negotiable starting pointholiday.